But the North Chimney can be a shooting gallery, and many prefer the Chasm View rappel approach.
That means about 7 miles and 4,000'.
You can bivy in the Boulderfield about six or seven-hundred feet below Chasm and ditch your bivy gear, do the wall fast and light, descend the Cables rappel, pick up your gear, and head home.

Down side is if you fail on the wall there is a long walk for the gear (unless you have support).

Cool thread, indeed. Jay, I was thinking that we did The Casual Route in
Sept. 1980. I remember wanting to get something more committing under the belt to ease the jitters of my first trip to the Valley that Oct/Nov.